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Conmen home in on elderly




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Rogue traders have conned elderly and vulnerable people in Southwell out of hundreds of pounds by claiming they need work doing on their roofs and driveways.

In some instances, householders have even gone to the bank to take out cash to pay the conmen, who then disappear without doing any work.

The Advertiser has been told that two weeks ago an elderly resident, who didn’t want to be named, was quoted £1,000 for work to her roof after answering the door to an apparent tradesman.

The price was reduced to £500 and the resident went to the bank to take out money to pay the man, who never returned.

Southwell’s neighbourhood police team leader, Sergeant Brendan Hunt, said the rogue traders were operating in the area of Silvey Avenue and Springfield Road. He said they received reports they were calling on homes offering to jet-wash driveways and do work on roof-tiles at extortionate rates.

He said in another incident a householder was quoted £2,000 for work on roof tiles, which was dropped to £720 after he said it was too expensive.

Neighbours contacted the police, and the work was never carried out.

Sergeant Hunt said it was clear the work did not need doing.

“They are preying on the vulnerable. Neighbours need to be vigilant and contact us if they are concerned,” he said.

The leader of Southwell Town Council, Mr Peter Harris, said he knew of instances of elderly people paying for work on the doorstep and fetching money from the bank.

“There have been occasions when bank workers have intervened because they realised what was going on,” he said.

“There are elderly people in the area and I know there are some who have fallen victim to this.

“We had this problem in the area before and we have raised it with residents.

“People should not trade directly at the door, and certainly never go to the bank to take out money to pay for the work.”

The police have contacted trading standards, who are urging anyone who has concerns to contact consumer direct on 08454 040506. They advise people not to trade at the doorstep.

The police can be contacted on 0300 300 9999 extension 8097670.



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